Smart Talk October 27th – November 2nd, 2018

Check out this week’s Smart Talk where we attend the groundbreaking of Columbia Terrace in Huntington Station, join Governor Cuomo for an important announcement on funding to fight gangs in Brentwood, check in on progress for Village Square, and more…

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“Huntington Station has been waiting decades for neighborhood and economic revitalization, which over the past several years is beginning to mobilize. Our veterans and their families make many sacrifices to keep them safe, and we owe them the opportunity and ability for owning a home they can live in.” – Huntington Supervisor Chad Lupinacci on the groundbreaking for Columbia Terrace veterans housing project

Huntington Breaks Ground on Columbia Terrace Veterans Housing Project

Vision Board and staff joined Town of Huntington Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Town Board members Joan Cergol, Mark Cuthbertson, and Ed Smyth, NYS Assemblyman Steve Stern, builder Barry Lipsky, People’s United Bank, and local veterans groups for the groundbreaking ceremony at the site of Columbia Terrace, a 14-unit veterans affordable housing condominium in Huntington Station.

“Huntington Station has been waiting decades for neighborhood and economic revitalization, which over the past several years is beginning to mobilize,” Supervisor Chad Lupinacci said. “Our veterans and their families make many sacrifices to keep them safe, and we owe them the opportunity and ability for owning a home they can live in.”

The original agreement for the development of Columbia Terrace was created in collaboration with the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing in 2010. That same year, the CDA was awarded a $1.56 million Empire State Development grant to build the project. The grant was initially set to expire in December of 2013, but it was approved for an extension on August 7, 2018, which now expires December 31, 2019.

The project will be paid for with the grant funding and $2 million dollars borrowed from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which will be paid back to the Trust Fund upon the sale of the units. Interim funding has been secured through People’s United Bank in the form of a construction loan, as the grant funding is strictly limited to reimbursement.

Although the project had previously gone out to bid three times, all were over the $3.5 million budget. The Community Development Agency was finally able to secure a winning bid within budget, and signed a contract on September 21, 2018, with Lipsky Construction, who came in as the lowest competitive bidder at the June 22, 2018, bid opening.

The project is expected to be completed within 300 days of the contract date. The Huntington CDA is hopeful that all units will be sold and occupied by September 30, 2019.

NYS Funding to Brentwood for Youth and Community Services to Combat Gang Violence

Vision staff joined local elected officials, Brentwood community leaders, and other neighborhood stakeholders this past Monday for the special announcement of a $20 million investment to combat the MS-13 violence in Suffolk County.

On the heels of Governor Cuomo’s announcement in Brentwood last April, allocating $18.5 million to combat MS-13 recruitment and providing youth programs to prevent gang involvement on Long Island, Governor Cuomo returned to Brentwood on Monday, October 29th, with further initiatives and funding to enhance the State and County’s offensive to eradicate violent gangs like MS-13 from our communities.

“MS-13 is a scourge that has taken too many young lives and affected too many innocents,” Governor Cuomo said. “Public safety is job one, and every child, every parent, has to know that we are protecting their life, and their liberty.”

Brentwood has been one of the communities most heavily impacted by MS-13-related violence in recent years. New York State is investing an additional $20 million to combat MS-13 gang activity in this community. Specifically, $15 million in capital funding will support the creation of a new community hub in Brentwood to provide a one-stop shop for social services, as well as recreational and educational opportunities for the community, including the over 19,000 students in the Brentwood School District.

Moreover, $2.5 million will be dedicated to improving park safety through installation of new lighting and surveillance cameras, and $1 million will be used for new surveillance cameras and other law enforcement technology to assist the Suffolk County Police Department. Finally, $1 million will be spent to support apprenticeship programs that teach at-risk youth both job and life skills, as well as $500,000 to strengthen mental health and social services programs across Long Island.

“Governor Cuomo’s investment will lay the foundation to further empower our educators and leaders to intervene early and help at-risk youth avoid a path to joining a gang,” stated Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

New York State concludes, by taking this holistic approach, the State is not only helping to curb gang violence in the short-term, but is also addressing many of the underlying factors that lead to its spread. All levels of government, working alongside community, are necessary to win the fight to end violence and protect the lives of our children and families. Vision Long Island applauds New York State’s continued investment in this fight.

You can read coverage of this event and initiative here, here, and here.

RXR Secures Village Square Project Funding

RXR Realty has secured $53.9 million in funds for construction of the Village Square project in Glen Cove.

The mixed-use redevelopment of the site will install 146 rental units and 17,500 square feet of retail to the area. The project is already in the beginning stages at the 2.8 parcel of land formerly occupied by heavy industry and junkyards. It is located within walking distance of Garvies Point, another one of RXR’s major development projects in the area.

The funding is being provided by M&T Bank in the form of a construction-to-permanent mortgage loan.

“We expect Village Square to generate significant market demand as these units will include many similar high-end finishes found within RXR’s Garvies Point project on Glen Cove’s waterfront, while also offering downtown walkability,” said M&T Bank’s Long Island market president Jason Lipiec.

Vision Long Island is happy to see this project move forward and had previously honored it with a Smart Growth Award for creating a sense of place when it was originally being developed by Jobco Realty and Construction. Named Glen Cove Piazza at the time, the development would eventually be sold to current owner RXR Realty.

LIRR Opens Upgraded Stations at Farmingdale and Wantagh

The MTA and LIRR have jointly announced the opening of two freshly renovated station in Farmingdale and Wantagh.

Farmingdale’s station, which server 3,800 daily passengers and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now features a new waiting room as well as an accessible new bathroom. The aesthetics were also improved as well as electric, plumbing and HVAC. New signage as well as charging stations and technology upgrades were made as well, including new information display screens. There were also new CCTV security cameras installed as well as the rehabilitation of a pedestrian underpass.

Wantagh, an elevated station which sees 6,000 customers on the weekdays, received a new heated waiting room for the colder months, as well as a new ADA accessibility elevator. An existing escalator was replaced and a new central set of stairs installed. Energy efficient lighting along with an upgrade to the look of the station and signage were also added to go with the newly replaced tracks at the station.

Town of Huntington Takes Next Step in Parking Garage Study

Town of Huntington officials have approved $16,000 in funding to study the feasibility of placing a parking garage in downtown Huntington Village. The funding will be used for preliminary construction steps was well as taking soil borings, surveying the area, and preparing mark-outs for utilities.

“We want to continue trying to explore and see what our options are with that area to see if the ground is physically sound to build something,” said Huntington Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci said. “We don’t want to lose any grant money that may be available to us.”

The money was approved by a 4-1 vote of Huntington’s Local Development Corporation Opposition to the plan is based on the idea that there are already solutions underway and that they should be given time to work. Huntington has made progress in the form of public transportation with shuttle services and the newly installed Qwik Ride system, but parking continues to be an issue for the thriving downtown.

Local business reaction to the idea of a parking garage is mixed, with some welcoming the idea of additional parking. More than a few owners are concerned that customers will cite parking as a reason they do not visit the village during the weekend. Others would prefer a different solution but tend to agree that more available spaces would be a boon.

St. James and Stony Brook Awarded $80,000 in Revitalization Grants

Stony Brook and St. James will have a step up on revitalization funding thanks to Grants Awarded through the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Grant Program.

The Community Association of Greater St. James was largest recipient of revitalization funds this year, receiving $60,000 that will go towards the installation of crosswalks on Lake Ave as well as new gateway signage. The new crosswalks will include pedestrian-activated LED crossings at 10 separate crosswalks. This comes in response to complaints by residents of vehicles speeding through the area.

“Even though this is going to be great for the look of the area, we still need everyone’s cooperation to take control and know what’s around them,” said Community Association President Kerry Maher-Weisse. “As much as it will be pleasing to the eye, it will be safe for our kids and people to be using these crosswalks.”

It is expected that the funds will cover the entire cost of the project, but if not the Association has pledged to work with the town to make up the difference.

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization in Stony Brook procured $20,400 in money for new sidewalks that will help to complete the ongoing “harbor walk” project. The project is aimed at installing aesthetically pleasing walkways that will attract residents and visitors to the area.

LIBOR Political Action Committee Seeks Liaison

The Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR) is looking for an experienced REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) Liaison person to augment their successful division.

LIBOR is requesting that potential candidates have a 1 -3 years of relevant experience. Salary is $50K – $55K commensurate with experience plus benefits.

Candidates will need to liaise with counterparts at NAR & NYSAR, work with RPAC and Legislative Committees to achieve annual RPAC goals; Develop and implement RPAC fundraising opportunities; Work with LIBOR Chapter and Division Leadership to facilitate fundraising and participation on a local level; Develop RPAC promotional materials and generate articles; Schedule, plan and execute presentations at chapter and division meetings; Prepare Monthly RPAC reports; Work with GA Coordinator on RPAC of NY’s recognition program; Work with Business Development Manager to create a successful LIBOR RPAC program for Affiliate Members.

If you know of or are an interested applicant – please have them respond to me via email with their letter of interest and resume to rkaplan@lirealtor.com. Please also have them cc the info to adellItalia@mlsli.com

Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive Event on November 3rd

SunPower by EmPower Solar and CALSTART will be working to inform the public on the benefits of solar powered at a Ride and Drive event on November 3rd.

Attendees will be able to test drive electric vehicles from BMW, Tesla, Nissan, Chevy, Toyota, and more. The event will take place on November 3rd from 10 am to 2 pm at the EmPower Solar building located at 4589 Austin Blvd in Island Park.

NYBC to Host Events on Empire State Trail’s LI Extension

The New York Bicycling Coalition, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, will be holding two public stakeholder meetings to discuss an action plan for the Long Island extension of the Empire State Trail.

The events will take place on November 7th from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Media Room at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, and then again on November 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Legislative Chambers in the Nassau County Office Building in Mineola.

Stakeholders will discuss how best to provide a complete map of a feasible field-tested route alignment; Leverage utility corridors to provide safe, off-road segments; Detail preliminary discussions with the public and municipal authorities for each trail segment; Represent a shared vision of public, private and other key stakeholders in Nassau and Suffolk County; Build a coalition to support design and implementation of the trail.

Community Conversation on Housing in Huntington on November 17th

A Community Conversation on Housing for All in Huntington Township will take place on Saturday, November 17th, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. The conversation will take place at Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington Village, located at 423 Park Ave.

The event will feature opening remarks from Supervisor Chad Lupinacci and several breakout sessions including Accessory Apartments: an Improved Approach, Dollars & Sense: How to Afford your Home, Housing Options for Inter-grational Communities: Village Apartments and Community Development, Impacts of Housing Choices: How Housing and Apartment Developments Impact Municipalities.

The First Annual HurriCON is on November 17th

In an effort to raise funds for damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, a benefit comic con will be held on November 17th from 10 am to 6 pm. Comics, artists, food, toys, artwork, collectibles, and more will be available at the event.

Proceeds from HurriCON will go towards funds to repairs of damage that Bethany Church sustained during Hurricane Sandy and to finishing the gym floor. Admission will require a $5 donations while children under 12 who are in costume get in for free.

You can keep up to date at the event’s Facebook page here and check out the press release here.

Sustainable Living Film Series Presents Albatross on November 19th

The Sustainable Living Film Series will be showing a free screening of the film Albatross. The film documents how plastic pollution has wreaked havoc on a community of 50 albatross in the North Pacific Ocean and draws many parallels to how such pollution can effect Long Island waterways.

The screening will take place on Monday, November 19th at the Madison Theatre located at Molloy College in Rockville Centre. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the film beginning at 7:00. Registration is free for this event and you can register by texting MASC ALBA to 56512.

For more information about the screening, please call 516-323-4513. You can view the trailer here.

Alive After Five to Bring Ice Skating to Patchogue

The newly formed Patchogue Holiday Committee will work to bring a summer event to winter as the inaugural Alive After Five Winter Wonderland one-day event will take place this year.

Though main attraction will be an ice skating rink and will feature live music, arts, crafts, food, and beverages just like the summer version of the event. It’ll be the first time that downtown Patchogue will have a skating rink and will be the culmination of a month-long holiday event.

The event will take place on December 20th on Main Street in Patchogue. The holiday committee has also opened a GoFundMe to help pay for the cost of the rink, which you can contribute to here if you’d like.

Smart Talk

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